Book Review: The Warded Man

The Warded Man

By:  Peter V. Brett

Publisher:  Del Rey

Publish Date:  March 2009

Genre:  Fantasy

Format:  Paperback, 453 pgs

Series:  1st book in Demon Trilogy

Recommendation:  OH YES!!! If you love fantasy, you have to read this one!

Book Synopsis:
As darkness falls after sunset, the corelings rise - demons who possess supernatural powers and burn with a consuming hatred of humanity.  For hundreds of years the demons have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human herd that shelters behind magical wards - symbols of power whose origins are lost in myth and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile.  It was not always this way.  Once, men and women battled the corelings on equal terms, but those days are gone.  Night by night the demons grow stronger, while human numbers dwindle under their relentless assault.  Now, with hope for the future fading, three young survivors of vicious demon attacks will dare the impossible, stepping beyond the crumbling safety of the wards to risk everything in a desperate quest to regain the secrets of the past.  Together, they will stand against the night.

First Sentence:
The great horn sounded.

My Review and Summary:
You meet Arlen, at eleven years old, while he and his parents are coming to town to assist and clean up with the few people remaining after the corelings, or demons, attacked the previous night - as they always do attack but the wards on the houses this night didn't hold.  Then we meet the lovely Leesha who, at thirteen, thinks her life is perfect and on the proper path, but suddenly changes.  Finally, we meet Rojer who as a three year old losses his parents to the corelings in an attack infront of him, due to neglected wards (not of their whole fault).  These three people meet many others along their way and come across many rough patches to be the ones needed in the end.


This book sets the stage of the fear, beliefs, and mentality of the people in this world.  Along with creating some wonderful characters by what has happened, or not happened, to them.  Arlen is the main character of the book, but you follow three the characters through part of their lives, at least the major parts.  These characters grow dramaticly through the book, and I enjoyed watching them do so.  Arlen is one of the few characters I have read who grows up to be what he wants, not because of an amazing mentor but because of the weaker influences in his life.  He uses the weaknesses of others to be an influence to himself to be stronger and not as fearful as others.  He didn't want to be like the others and watch or just be.


The writing style in this book struck a cord in me, as for me it reminded me of a cross between Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Trilogy and Patrick Rothfuss's Name of the Wind.  I have to say if you enjoy Fantasy, this is a must read for you.  I don't know what it is but there is an attraction in their story telling that drew me in and kept me there, and Peter Brett now is in that category with them.


The story is written as every word counts and means something.  I found the descriptions of details wonderful, as I could see the corelings, happenings, and the scenery clearly in my minds eye.  I knew and understood what the characters felt.  I learned a lot of the corelings and characters at a gradual pace as to not overwhelm me but to keep me wanting more as well.  The story does have a quest in it, but it is more of an adventure to travel.


The ending seemed a little rushed for me and for that reason a little less exciting for me compared to the rest of the book.  But, this was a small thing compared to the books over all greatness.  


The second book, The Desert Spear, is currently out and on my list to get.  If you would like to visit Peter V. Brett's site, click here.




I purchased this book of my own accord, for reading thanks to a great book suggestion from Simcha @ SFF Chat.  If you get the chance stop by her wonderful blog to say hello.


This book qualifies for the Speculative Fiction Challenge @ Book Chick City.